A recent report conducted jointly by the Foundation Center and the Open Society Foundation reveals the level of philanthropic engagement targeted towards Black males. The findings show that annual funding designated for black men and boys has been rising steadily, from $10 million in 2003 to $29 million in 2010. Seeing as how funding education ranks highly for this demographic, education received 40 percent of the grant money between 2008 and 2010.
"It is my hope that this report will motivate other philanthropists and foundations to invest in efforts to improve achievement by African American boys and men," said Open Society founder George Soros in a press release. "This is a generational problem that demands a long-term commitment."
Titled "Where Do We Go From Here? Philanthropic Support for Black Men and Boys," the report used available data to explore foundations that explicitly targeted African-American males as the primary recipients of services and funds, as well as those philanthropic groups who predominantly serve that group, but through implicit funding. Issue area, type of support, and geographic area of the foundations were also considered in the research.
"This report vividly portrays a stark reality that has haunted this country for far too long," said Bradford Smith, president of the Foundation Center, in the release. "But it also provides solid data and compelling stories that illustrate what America's foundations are doing to turn the tide."
